Rain-indicator.



H. J. BLACKMORE.

RAIN iNDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.7. -l9n.

Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

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HENRY J. BLACKMORE, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

RAIN-INDICATOR.

Application filed August 7, 1917. Serial No. 184,934

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HENRY J. BnAo IMonE, a citizen of Canada and of the Provlnce of Newfoundland, residing at Indianapolis, in

the county of Marion and $tate of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rain-Indicators, of which the following is a specification- This invention relates to improvements in rain indicators. It frequently occurs that a precipitation of rain during the night will fail to awaken the occupants of the house, the windows of for ventilation, and the entrance of rain through the windows results in serious damage to the house furnishings.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a signal which will immediately be actuated by rainfall to sound the alarm.

Another object is to incorporate in the device a convenient means for draining the water from the water pocket after a rainfall, and to provide a cover-plate for the device which in the closed position serves to prevent entrance of dirt and in the open position acts to increase the flow of rainwater into the receptacle of the device and to protect the mechanism from the action of wind.

It is further proposed to provide a construction and arrangement of the float and associated contact devices whereby the construction is simplified and rendered less expensive. A preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be clearly understood by reference to the specification below.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device and includes a diagrammatic representation of the electrical connections.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the cover-plate in the open position.

In the preferred form shown in the drawings the device is provided with a receptacle indicated by the numeral 1 for receiving the rain. In the present instance'the receptacle 1 is rectangular in form and has one side extending upwardly to constitute a wind-brake 2 which may be formed with a perforation 3 providing a convenient means for suspending the receptacle. The bottom 4 of the receptacle is formed with a depression preferably constituting a tubular pocket Specification of Letters Patent.

which havebeen left open the strip, the

Patented Oct. 1,1918.

5 in which is loosely fitted for free vertical movement, a float 6. Attached on the top of the float 6 in any suitable manner as by screw 24, is the horizontally disposed portion 7 of the metal strip 8 extending beyond the float and twisted intermediate of the ends to form a vertically disposed terminal portion 9. Se-

cured as by soldering to the bottom of the receptacle 1 adjacent the pocket, is an upstanding conducting lug or contact guide plate 10 formed with a vertical slot 11 constitutinga guide way in which is loosely engaged the vertical portion A contact arm 12 is secured to but insulated from a convenient portion ofthe receptacle 1, in the present instance byscrews 13 engaged in a fiber block 14:. The fiber block 1 1 is similarly secured as by screws 15 to the receptacle. The contact arm 12 has one end extending over the horizontal portion of the strip 8 in a position to establish connection with the latter in an upward movement of 9 of the strip 8.;

the float 6. The guide 10 and the contact 2 arm 12 are each provided with means indicated as binding posts 16 for connection with suitable conductors 17. The conductors 17 are terminally connected respectively to an audible signal indicated as a bell 18 and a battery 19. The other terminal'of the battery is connected of the bell in the usual manner.

For conveniently draining the pocket 5 it is formed in the bottom with an opening 20 having screw threaded or otherwise secured therein a valve or stop-cock 21.

A lid 22 is provided for normally excluding dirt from the receptacle 1. Preferably the lid 22 is edge of the receptacle from the wind brake 2 and it is provided with flanges 23 which when the lid 22 i disposed in an outward and upwardly inclined position serve to direct the flow of water into the receptacle.

It will be noted that by the employment of the contact strip 8 constructed of a single piece of metal, case of manufacture'is promoted, and due to the twisted form given outer portion of the strip has a broad surface area assuring good connection with the contact guide 10 while the inher or horizontalportion of the strip insures connection with the contact arm 12 irrespective of the movement of the float within the pocket 5.- I

What is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a

to the remaining terminal receptacle formed in the bottom With a pocket, an upstanding vertically mediately of its ends to form a horizontalportion and a Vertical portion on said float, said'striphaving the verticalportion slidably' engaged in the lot of saidguideya contact arm mounted on saidreceptacle with a portion disposed over the horizontal p01 Copies ofjthis patent may. be, obtainedfor 'five centseach, addressing therfcommissioxier pt 1'a'tents,; a s

guide adjacent said pocket, a float pocket, a conducting strip twisted the slot of-said guide,

lar pocket, an upstanding verticallyslotted guide adjacent said pocket, a float 1n said pocket; a conducting strip twisted intermediately of its ends to form a horizontal portion anda vertical portion on said float,

I said strip havingthe-Vertical porti'onslidabl'y'engaged-in the slot of said guide, a contact arm mounted onisai'd receptacle with a portion disposed over the horizontal por tion of said'contact element, said receptacle formed in thebottoln of the pocket with anopening, a valve in said opening; and a cover-plate having flanged edgesthelips of saidreceptacle;

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

hinged to HENRYJ. BLAGKMORE. r

' Washington, I) G. 

